Shock-absorber.



G. W. FULKERSON.

sHocK Aso'RBEa.

APPLICATION.- FILED FEB. l0. |917.

l299,165. Patented Apr. 1, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

G. WL FULKERSON. -sHocK ABsoRBER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I0. |911.

Patented Apr. 1,1919.

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2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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GEORGE W. FUL'KERSON, 0F HAGERSTOWN, INDIANA. v

sHocx-Aiasommn.

To all whom'it may concern: s

Be it known that I, GEoRGE W. FUrarERfV soN, a citizen of the United States, resldlng at Hagerstown, in the county of Wayne and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shock-Absorb- Yers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable `others skilled in the art to which it appertains'to make and use the same. A

. This invention is a suspension mechanism' for vehicles, having for its principal object to provide a cushion forthe body of the vehicle, to thereby prevent excessive vibra-- tion of the body of the vehicle by taking up' such vibrations or shocks in the-wheels of,

the vehicle. Y

A further aim of'this invention is to preI clude the necessity`for the employment of pneumatictires bythe provision of a simple, eliicient, and economical structure which may be employed independently of, oras a cushl ioning device in addition to, the ordinary spring suspension device of vehicles. K

The invention comprises a novel form of axle construction in which a plurality of resilient means, which may be in the form of semi-elliptical springs, are positioned parallel with the axle beams of the vehicles, the springs being retained inv position by anti-friction devices of novel form. Means are provided also for regulating .the tension of 'the'resilient elements.

The foregoing objects of the' invention,

and Vother aims thereof will become apparent from the following detail descriptionA taken in connection with the* accompanying 'Figure 1 is a side elevation, parts being4 broken away, of a portion' of' a front axle of a vehicle, ydisclosing the mounting of a resilient member thereon. L- Fig. 2 isa detail sectional view of an end supporting member for the resilient member`- Fig, 3 is a detail sectional view of an adjust-ing saddle. U

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a' 'portion of Specificationof Letters Patent.

Patented apr. i, raie.

l Application sied February 1o, 1917.- serial No', 147,848.

a rear axle with thereon.

Fig. 5 is .a'detail view showing means to hold an inner sleeve inpositiom The suspenslondevlces are preferably arranged m pairs on each axle beam or axle cushioning means mounted' casing, a suspension device being preferably y 'employed for each WheeLWherebythevi-v bration or shocks incident `to running over rough places inthe roadway, m-ay be taken up at the wheels instead of being communicated to the bodyof thevehicle. resilient elements are preferably employed in addition tothe usual spring suspension devices orthe body of the vehicle, thereby relievingthe pneumatic ltires vof the vehicle (if they are used) from the. strain-incident I. to suddenshock. It is obvious that such suspension devices prevent the bursting of pneumatic tires, and when such resilient elementsare employed in addition to the ordinary spring su-spension devices, solid These' rubber tires 'may be substituted vfor pneu matic tires.

ltef'erringmorel particularly to the spe-"$0 cie embodiment of the invention disclosedl in the accompanying drawings, the front axle is shown mounted in Fig. 1 from an axle beam 1, which lis provided with aforked-end to prov-ide a lower bearing 2 and an upper bearing 3. Slida-bly mounted in .the lower bearing is a spindle arm '4, whilefanother spindlearm 5"extendsin the direction4 of the upper bearing 3. The l spindle, comprising the arms 4 and. 5, sup- .ports the ordinary axle 6 for one of the front wheels, the usual ball-bearing icup be;

'idg indicated at 7. T0 this Spindle e, ;5., there vmay be `connected a spindlearm 8 having .an eye 9, or any' equivalent device,

y `for connecting the spindle arm `8 with the steering gear-of the' vehicle. The lower end of thesp'indle arm le-may be'thlfeaded 'for a portion vof its length,-` and ."i's designed to receive ai plurality of .washers 10 and 11,

:ma a which washers servel to house a lsuitable I resilient element indicatedat 12, which may be-"of rubber, iffdesi'red.` The washer 10 may be slidably-'mounted Aupon'the spindle arm 4, if found desirable, and thesewashers 10 and llare retained on the spindle,

arm I4 by any suitable means, such as 'a' nuty 13.'v lThis resilient element 12 is designed to cushion the movement of the spindle arm. 4c in an Aupward direction should the wheel of the vehicle run overan obstruction in the road, causing the axle 6 to move upwardly with relation to the axle beam 1, and thereby force the washer 10 into sudden contact with the bearing 2 i of the laxle beam. Any shock due to this contact will be taken up by the resilient element 12.

In the upper bearingi3 of the axle beam,4

there is shown mountedV a suitable cup 14 which may have a depending sleeve l5. This sleeve may have telescopic engagement with the upper spindle arm 5 and may be keyed thereto by Aany suitable means, such as the key screws 16. Tt will be understood that the sleeve 15 is .capable of vertical and r0- `tative movements within the spindle arm r`4 to accommodate the vertical and rotative movements of the spindle arm 5.

The cup 14 receives a plurality of ballbearings 17 for a bearing plate 18, to which is secured a rotatable head 19, whereby the head may be swiveled 'relative to the rotatable sleeve 15, in order that the head may be maintained at a predetermined position relative tothe shaft beam, irrespective of the twisting movements of the axle 6, and

the spindle arms 4 and 5. 1f desired, the,

cup 14 may be provided with a suitable bushing 20. v

Suitably connected with the rotatable head 19 is a resilient element 21 shownA as a substantially semi-elliptical spring of the leaf spring type. This spring may be of any preferred form, but is shown as having a straight horizontal portion 22 and up- V 'wardlydirected portion terminating in a Y to the axle beam 1, as by the bracket 28. Itv

curved section 23, where the spring may be connected at 24 to the head 19, and a rearwardly arcuate section 25. The resilient element 21 is so mounted that it is capable of longitudinal movement relative to the axle beam l, and its free end 26 may ride u on an anti-friction device, such as a roller 27), shown in Figs. -1 and 2. This roller 27 may be secured in any desired manner is preferred to 'mount the resilient element 21 on theupperportion of the axle beam l, andQto provide anti-friction devices to engage the upper and lower surfaces of the resilient element 21. The anti-friction device 27 isshown engaging the lower surface ofthis element 21 and the anti-friction device, such as a roller 29, disclosed in Figs.

f 1 and 3, is shown contacting with the upper surface of the horizontal section 22 of the resilient element 21, ,whereby the longitudinal'movement ofthe resilient element 21 relative to the axle. beam 1, may be guided by the anti-friction rollers 27 and 29, when the resilient element 21'is placed under tension due to the distortion of the axle 6 rela-` tiveto the axle beam 1. p

`The anti-friction roller 29 is preferably legame sure upon the resilient element 21 to thereby regulate the tension of said resilient element'. The adjusting screw 32 may havea conical bearing point 34, whereby the screw may maintain the saddle 30l in a predetermined position relative to the axle Abeam 1, or-its equivalent, it being understood that the beam l may be provided with concave recesses to receive the point 34 ofthe screw 32.

The front and rear axle beams may mount .the usual springs 35 ofthe vehicle, inthe usual manner.

Referring vmore particularly to Figs. 4 i

and 5 of the'drawings, the rear axle construction is provided with a resilient element 21 similar to that disclosed in Fig. 1 forthe front axle construction, fand this resilient element is shown fastened at one end 24 to a slidable head 19, with its other end unconfined by resting upon an anti-friction roller 27. The resilient straight section 22 of the resilient element is shown coperating with an anti-friction roller 29 of the saddle tension device 30, which is 4provided withy the .adjusting screw 32, as previously described.

The axle 36 for the rear wheels is, shown mounted onthe drive shaft 37, which is rotatably positioned within the axle casing 38, to which the saddle 30 and the bracket 28 may be secured. .A

Coperating with the resilient element 21, there may be employed a -suitable'bridle 39, which may be of any suitable material,

'which bridle is designed to serve -as la check on the resilient element 2l to Vany excessive shock whih may be incident torough roadways. It is obvious that the bridle 39 may be used on the front axle construction as well as the rear axle construction, if'desired. This bridle 39 may be adjustably mounted relative to the resilient element 21 and the axle casingV 38 any suitable means, such as an adjusting nut 40.

The axle 36 may be provided with a roller this bearing casing may bey provided with a bearingl yoke 42, Yhaving a recess to receive a conical bearing element 43, which is shown supporting a shank 44 of the slidable head 45. The shaft 37 is capable'o limited play or movement within the casing 38, and to accommodatethis movement, the end of the casing 38. is provided with an enlarged openo g l l n bearmg41 mounted 1n a suitable casing, and

. .19, the shank being positioned in a bushing ing 46, which may be closed with a disk.` o r Washer 47, which may be` maintained in position by anyl suitable means, such 'as the coiled springs 48.

. The drive shaft may be provided also vvith a universal joint 49 of any desired form, to connect the 'drive shaft-375 With an auxiliary shaft Orcarrying the usual gear 51. This auxiliaryfshaft 50 may be provided with suitable roller bearings 52 concealed within a casing 53. The casing 53 may be of the sectional type and --the axle I casing 38 may be providedwith aplurality of adjusting screws -54 to maintain the positiony of the bearing shaft 50. w

is claimed as new is Y 1. In a suspension mechanism for vehicles, f an axle, a resilient element positioned par-l ,.allel and sustained at one end with relation' 'It is obvious' that various changes and alterations maybe made in the form and proportion of parts and in the specific arrangement. ofthe parts, from that disclosed in' the accompanying drawings, and the right 'is reserved to make :such changes and alterations as fairly fall Within the. scopeof the'appended claims.

'Having thus described my invention, what to the axle, and having the other end thereof free to move longitudinally, and means to regulate the tension of the resilient element.

'2. In a suspension mechanism for vehicles,

an axle provided -With a resilient element fastened at one end to a movable support` carried by the axle, the other end of the resilient element being unconned, an 'antifriction'device 'to support the unconined end of the resilient'element, and means to regu-V late the tensionl of the resilient element.

3, In a suspension mechanlsm for vehicles,

-the combination with an axle, and `resilient means associated therewith,'of an auxiliary resilient element secured at'one end.1jela tively to the axle vand positioned longitudinally thereof, said auxiliary resilient' ele- .ment being providedvwith means for regu- -lating its tension." Y

4f.l In'a suspension mechanism for vehicles. the combination wlth an axle and resilient means assoc1ated'therevvith,of an auxillary resilient element Varranged on said axle and parallel there-With, said resilient element being in the form of a semi-elliptical spring,

which is secured at one end by 'means cari ried by the axle and is freeto move longiist tudinally at the other end,I 4anti-friction means to -support thed auxiliary resilient cles ment at the other end, and means tb engage the auxiliary resilient element at a point lintermediate the ends thereof. l

5. In adevice of the class describ ed,j the combination with an y axle .beam for \the Wheels of .a vehicle," of a resilient element positioned parallel to the' axle beam near relative to the auxiliary each wheel thereof, said resilient element,

vhaving non-alined sequential portions and .being capable of extension longitudinally of the axle, and means associated with the axle to retaln one end of the resilient elel' ment in a predetermined position.

6. In a device ofthe class idescribed, an axlesupporting member or beam carrying a slidable head, an elongated resilient ele,- I'nent positioned longitudinally ofthe' axle supporting-member or beam and: secured near one end to the slidable head, said resilient element being capable oflongitudinal movement relative to the axle supporting memberl or beam, yan anti-friction device to' support theresilient element near itsother end, and means positioned intermediate the ends vof'the'resilient element to guide the same in its longitudinal movement.

7. In a device of the yclass rdescribed, an axle supporting member or beam carrying a slidable head, an elongated resilientI element positioned longitudinally of the axle supporting member Aor beam, and secured near one end tothe slidable head, said re- 'sllient element being capable oflongitu'dinal movement relative to the axle supporting member or beam, an anti-friction device to 'supportthe resilient element nearvitsother end, and a saddle carried by the -axle supporting member or beam to engage the resilient element intermediate the ends theref of to guide the same inv its longitudinal movements,.said saddle being provided also with means to adjust the tension of saidresilient :elementv l 8. In a ,device of the class described, an

axle supporting member carrying a vslidable head, an elongatedpresilient' element posi- 'tioned longit'udinallyV of the' axle supporting Amember and secured near one end to the slidable head, said resilient element being capagated 'resilient element and with an adjusting screw .to retain the pressure of the antivfriction device on the resilient element4 to i thereby'adjust the tension of the resilient element.

. 9. In ajdevice'. of the class described, an axle supporting member o r-beam carrying a slidable head, .an elongated resilient element 7 positioned "longitudinally of the axle supporting element orv beam, and having oneend.. thereof secured to thes'lidable head, said4 resilient elementibeing capable of movement longitudinally'iof `the axle, and having its 'i other end free tof ride upon an 'anti-friction axle Supporting member or casing for a drive shaft, a sectional sleeve positionedwithin the casing, each section being in contact with the inner wall of said casing to sup rt ,and retain roller bearings for the o 7Jshaiit, and means tosecure each of ,said sections in fixed relation to the easing, said securing means being laccessible from without the' casing.

11. In a suspension device for vehicles, an

axle casing or beam, a head slidably mounted relative to the casing or beam, a resilient element secured to the slidable head and extending longitudinally.of the casing or beam,

anti-frictional devices positioned on opposite sides of the resilient element. and means to regulate the tension f the resilient element.

12. In a suspension. device for vehicles, an axle casing havingr a head slidably-moimted relative to the casing, aresilient clement secured to the slidable head and extending lon'- gitudinally of the casing,y anti-frictional devices to direct the resilient element in its 1ongitudinal movements, and a check device for the resilient element when said. element is' subjected to excessive shock incident to rough roadways.

' 13. In a suspension device for vehicles, an

axle casing, a drive shaft capable of rotation and limited vertical movements within the casing, a roller bearing carried by the shaft, a washer to close an end of the axle casing, a slidable head supported above the roller bearing, and a resilient element secured to the slidable head and mounted on the Ltxle casing to cushion the movements of the' drive shaft.

14. ln a suspension device for vehicles, an

axle casing, a drive shaft capable ofgrotation' and limited vertical movements Within the casing, a roller bearingfor said shaft, a

A washer to close an end of the axle casing,

means to maintain said washer against an end of the casing, a slidable head having a `depending shank to support the head above the roller bearing, and a resilient element secured to the slidablehead and mounted on thel axle casing to'cushion the movements of the drive shaft and its axles.

15. lin a suspension device for vehicles, an

axle casing, a drive shaft capable ofl rotation and limited vertical movementA within the casing, a roller bearing for theV shaft, said roller bearing being provided with a recessed bearing yoke, a substantially conical bearing fitting in the recess of the yoke, and serving to support a slidable head above the roller bearing, and a'resilient element secured to the head and mounted on the axle casing to` cushion the movements of the drive shaft relative to. the casing.

' ln testimony whereof atx'my signature u in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE IW. FULKERSON. f, Witnesses:

GEORGE W. FRAzmR, FRANK A. HAWKINS. 

